MOSCOW, Idaho – A judge entered pleas of not guilty to all charges for Bryan Kohberger at his arraignment Monday – more than six months after police allege he fatally stabbed four University of Idaho undergrads in their off-campus home.
Deputies escorted Kohberger into the courtroom around 9 a.m., where he stood before Judge John Judge.
The defendant, wearing an orange jumpsuit and no handcuffs, smiled at his defense attorney, Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor, and sat quietly. He nodded as Judge read his rights aloud. Taylor is being contracted to represent Kohberger in Latah County, where the Moscow student slayings were carried out, because of her expertise in handling capital murder cases.
Taylor said they would “be standing silent,” so Judge entered the not guilty pleas for the charges against Kohberger. “Standing silent” means the defendant does not take a guilty or not-guilty stance but has the same outcome as pleading not guilty.
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Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, Monday, May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson/Moscow-Pullman Daily News via Pool)
Idaho lawyer Edwina Elcox, who previously represented “Cult Mom” Lori Vallow, noted that because Kohberger did not enter a guilty plea himself, his decision to stand silent “can be a tactic to continue negotiations with the prosecution.”
Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022, listens during his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, Monday, May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Zach Wilkinson/Moscow-Pullman Daily News via Pool)
The fathers of victims Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, Steve Goncalves and Ben Mogen, shook hands after Monday’s hearing at the Latah County Courthouse.
Kaylee’s sister, Alivea Goncalves, said it was “important” for her family to be present at Monday’s hearing.
Kristi Goncalves arrives at the Latah County Courthouse on May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. The mother of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves was there for the arraignment of Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with killing Kaylee and three other students in November. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Steve Goncalves arrives to Latah County Court, Monday, May 22, 2023. The father of slain University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves was there for the arraignment of Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of killing Kaylee and three other students. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Kohberger faces four charges of first-degree murder and another count of felony burglary in connection with the Nov. 13, 2022, stabbings of Mogen, 21, Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.
The prosecutor’s office has 60 days to notify the defense if they are seeking the death penalty.
The University of Idaho murder victims are, from left, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen. (Instagram @xanakernodle / @maddiemogen / @kayleegoncalves)
Taylor asked the judge for a six-week trial beginning in October, which Judge approved. He set an Oct. 2 start date – nearly a year after the slayings.
Watch Bryan Kohberger’s arraignment
The three young women lived together in a six-bedroom home just steps off campus in Moscow with two other housemates who were not targeted. Chapin was dating Kernodle and visiting for the night – just days before the students would have left for Thanksgiving break.
Kohberger, 28, was studying for a Ph.D. at the neighboring Washington State University.
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Bryan Kohberger is escorted out of the courtroom following his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, Monday, May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022. (Zach Wilkinson/Moscow-Pullman Daily News via Pool)
In previously unsealed court documents, police alleged that they traced Kohberger’s vehicle, a white Hyundai Elantra, to the victims’ home at least a dozen times prior to the murders and then once more just hours later but before police arrived at the scene. They also allegedly found DNA evidence on a Ka-Bar knife sheath found next to Mogen’s body.
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All four students had been stabbed to death, according to Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt – and at least some of them were likely sleeping at the start of the 4 a.m. ambush.
Bryan Kohberger and his alleged victims, clockwise from top left, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves. (WSU | Instagram)
Kohberger is being held without bail at the Latah County Jail in Moscow.
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He could face the death penalty if convicted. The suspect could face 10 years in prison and up to four consecutive life sentences if he is found guilty.
